WARWICK 15:35

Non Runners: EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE), ITSTIMEFORAPINT (IRE). Fences: 22.

Time: 7m 41.3s Closing Sectional: (3.8f): 58.6s (102.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 103.9%

A slightly disappointing turnout numerically and probably not a strong race for the money, though the result still makes plenty of sense, with the surprise winner clearly rejuvenated by a change of headgear/jockey to finally take advantage of his lenient mark; the gallop seemed fair enough, though hardly anything got involved from off the pace.

MILANSBAR (IRE) returned to form from out of the blue to finally take advantage of a lenient mark, simply proving a different proposition for this combination of first-time blinkers and a change of jockey; forced pace, jumped fine, went with much more zest than of late, asserted from home turn, stormed clear; has proved so inconsistent over the past 2 seasons that he's far from certain to reproduce this form next time.

COGRY wasted no time getting back on track and needs no excuses; never far away, again largely avoided mistakes, driven between 3 out and 2 out, stuck to task well (albeit no match for the rejuvenated winner).

MISSED APPROACH (IRE) has been given a chance by the handicapper and is one to consider for similar marathon events despite failing to justify good support here, if anything finding even this an insufficient test; prominent, lost place briefly when outpaced back straight, rallied well late on; will prove suited by extreme distances.

CROSSPARK shaped as if back in form and was ultimately found out by this longer trip after racing freely; handy, not settle fully, every chance back straight, challenged home turn, no extra soon after (already weakening when not fluent 2 out).

CRESSWELL BREEZE wasn't in quite the same form as last time; gradually lost touch from seventeenth, never better than mid-field.

SIR MANGAN (IRE) possibly failed to stay this longer trip after 8 weeks; waited with, good progress entering back straight, one paced from 4 out, already held when not fluent last 2; type to bounce back quickly.

INDIAN CASTLE (IRE) was below form in a change of headgear after 8 weeks off, though possibly failed to stay (unproven beyond 3¼m); in touch, ridden before 5 out, soon no further impression.

KRACKATOA KING turned in a rare poor effort (stable's 2 other runners also flopped); mid-division, blundered twelfth, labouring badly some way out; type to bounce back quickly.

RUSSE BLANC (FR) followed a below-par effort with an even worse one; dropped out, never going well from before halfway, blundered fourteenth, pulled up next; questions to answer now.

ON THE ROAD (IRE) ran no sort of race; held up, blundered fourth, reminders after tenth, tailed off when pulled up before sixteenth.

BALLYCROSS has spat the dummy out every time he's encountered a large field over fences, faring no better in first-time cheekpieces here; handy, lost place when blundered second, mistake again seventh, never going well after, tailed off some way out; best treated with caution.

TOPPER THORNTON (IRE) found run of good form for new connections coming to a halt, though his stamina was possibly stretched in the end; dropped out, travelled better than most, crept closer from circuit out, in touch when clouted 5 out and 4 out, dropped away soon after.

GOODTOKNOW again ran poorly and seems to have lost way for time being; in touch, not fluent sixth, lost place over circuit out, blundered thirteenth, tailed off when pulled up sixteenth; something to prove at present.